Inspired Carpet Stephen’s double life no trouble

As Inspiral Carpets roll into the North West MALCOLM WYATT talks with lead singer Stephen Holt

It’s a busy life for Stephen Holt, his work for a drug and alcohol support service in Manchester supplemented by roles as lead singer in two acclaimed bands.

As well as Inspiral Carpets, the indie outfit he co-formed in 1983 and rejoined in 2011 after a 22-year absence, he’s back with the band he initially left for, promoting The Rainkings’ new Fiveways EP.

By his own admission, Stephen’s side-project are hardly the most prolific, releasing just two singles first time around, although the Another Time (1989/94) compilation followed in 2013.